Why charter schools did so well in the MCAS? Those city mayors who opposed charter should reconsider it.

Charter do not have as many special needs students who need remedial suppport as the regular public schools do. Also, the typical Charter School family tends to be more committed to their child's education ("school wise parents"), willing to commit to the longer hours of a Charter School and need for family involvement. Not all parents are able to make that level of commitment. Charter Schools are very valuable, but one size does not fit all.

I think the result are OK.. however MCAS was a way to measure Teachers not the students.. The system causes teacher to teach to the TEST.. the authority that runs MCAS does nto provider a curriculum for the schools to follow.. So the results mean nothing

Congratulations Boston Latin School! 100% of BLS 10th graders scored "advanced" or "proficient" in both English and Math -- the only school in the state to accomplish this! 77% of the 10th graders were "advanced" in English and an amazing 94% were "advanced" in Math. The diversity of this public school -- where 1/3 of the kids are low income and more than 1/2 are non-white -- speaks volumes to what smarts, dedication, energy and hard work can do. Boston Globe, you should be trumpeting this fabulous achievement by a public school in the heart of Boston!

As a parent who recently "shopped around" for elementary schools in a school choice comminuty I have learned these results are extremely skewed depending on how a school integrates ESL and special needs students.

Every child is unique. A wise parent looks around at all their options. Charter Schools do something unique and even a year or two in a Charter School has educational benefits throughout the students life. I'm not suggesting that Charter Schools are the answer. I will, however, state that Charter Schools are scrutinized in a way that Districts Schools never are and the results may be partially attributed to the mandate that Charter Schools perform to exist.

I'm sure that the teachers will be blamed for any school that had disappointing test results when the truth is that when the huge problem of poverty is addressed then test results will improve. That is the very unpopular truth but then "you can't handle the truth". By the way I am not a teacher or in any way involved in education, just a retired grandmother with common sense.